You may have missed it and that was probably intentional – it was buried in most newspapers on Sunday. Late Saturday the Senate passed (78-12) a $634 billion dollar measure to keep the government going through the next budget year (which begins on Wednesday).
Everyone is so distracted by the $700 billion bailout proposal (expected to pass today) no one really noticed the government was out of money (so much in fact that we had to borrow $500 billion from China). So where does some of this newly printed (and approved) money go?
$25 billion will go to automakers in taxpayer-subsidized loans.
$488 billion will go to the department of defense (on top of the $70 billion already approved for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan).
$23 billion in emergency aid for victims of recent hurricanes and floods.
$6.6 billion for “pet projects” in numerous states.
The White House spokesperson said this “puts the United States on step closer to ending our dependence on foreign sources of energy.”
Excuse me?
Yes the Senate is lifting a ban on offshore drilling and opening up a huge reserve of shale oil in the west, but that is not where any of the $634B goes.
As if that was not enough…the big weekend did not end there…
The House also approved a pact that would allow the U.S. to provide nuclear materials to India.
I should never check the news on the weekend…
Fine, I suppose this is where you look for some witty insights to my mind. A "bio" of sorts. Here is the deal... I ride motorcycles, smoke cigars, golf, kayak, fly, race my car through the mountains, write (a lot), and travel extensively. I am almost old enough not to care what other people think about me...almost. ~Godfadr
I don’t feel so good…
I feel really ill right now.
OK, 6.6 BILLION for ‘pet projects’? I’m sorry, in this economy legislators have balls expecting taxpayers to pay for their pet projects that probably don’t even benefit the taxpayer.
Excuse me while I go bring up my breakfast…*groan*
Well SWF, In my mind I was just hoping the “pet projects” were to help save pets. In reality I think the money pays for things like testing lip stick on pigs or something like that…
Also, you take your breakfast into your own hands if you read the Slow Bleed after a meal
No worries. We’ll just print more money right? Actually, I’m going to start learning to speak Chinese. Might come in handy if they ever have to come collect on the USA.
Godfather, you’re just an optimist at heart I see. I used to be optimistic but they legislated it out of me….LOL
Funny you mention reading your blog at my own risk…that’s the same thing I say about mine……..LOL